Teletypewriter system



Sept. 29, 1936. R. E. PIERCE TELETYPEWRITER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 2, 1935 PMZQQE mu PZEn.

IN VE N TCR REP/ERCE c a ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 29, 1936 Ui iil'i'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELETYPEWRITER SYSTEM Ralph Edwin Pierce, Larchmont, N. Y., assignor to American Telephone and Telegraph Company, a corporation of New York Application August 2, 1935, Serial No. 34,428

16 Claims.

r synchronize the advancements of the stationery in the several teletypewriters to obviate an overlapping of the news items and the advertisements.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement for simultaneously adjusting the stationery of several teletypewriters connected in a communicative relationship.

In accordance with the invention, there are provided at each teletypewriter opposing contact members adapted to be engaged and disengaged as form stationery is advanced therebetween under control of a printer magnet responsive to communication line signals. The contact members, when in engagement, and a relay, operated by a contact closed in response to a preassigned signal transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter, are associated in a, circuit arranged to shunt the printer magnet to render the latter ineffective for further advancement of the stationery. Another relay associated with the printer magnet in the communication line serves to limit the duration of the shunt circuit.

In operation, a broadcasting teletypewriter transmits a preassigned combination of code impulses which causes at each teletypewriter in the system an operation of a relay that locks up under control of a slow release relay associated in a communication line with a printer magnet. The latter is operated by line feed signals to effect an advancement of the stationery. The operation of the first relay conditions a circuit so as to be open only at a point where an engagement between opposing contact members is controlled by the stationery.

The broadcasting teletypewriter then transmits a series of line feed signals to effect an advancement of the stationery until a perforation in the latter allows the contact members to engage each other whereby the circuit is closed to shunt the magnet for rendering the latter nonresponsive to further line feed signals and, consequently, to effect a stop of the stationery at that point on its associated platen. After advancing the stationery to identical positions on the several platens, the broadcasting teletypewriter next transmits a preassigned open line signal which causes a deenergization of the slowrelease relay to interrupt the shunt circuit thereby reestablishing a communicative relationship among the several teletypewriters.

Thereafter,

the stationery is permitted to advance in the usual manner during subsequent normal operations of the system.

Figure 1 is a schematic arrangement illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View showing opposing contact members engaged through a perforation in the stationery.

In Fig. 1 there is schematically delineated a teletypewriter system comprising a broadcasting teletypewriter station A and a plurality of receiving teletypewriter stations B and C, the several stations being connected by a closed telegraph circuit shown in heavy lines.

In considering the following description, it should be kept in mind that while the description is pertinently evolved with respect to the teletypewriter apparatus identified with receiving station B, this is intentionally so done for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure, and it is to be understood that the description is also equally applicable in all respects to each teletypewriter in the system since there is contemplated that the several stations be provided with identical teletypewriter apparatus.

In Fig. 1 there is shown at broadcasting station A and receiving station B only those portions of a teletypewriter apparatus which are necessary for a thorough comprehension of the invention. The teletypewriter apparatus may be of any well known type such, for example, as that disclosed tension, or straightening, roller I2.

The stationery is then fed down a fixed guide l3 and applied by guide rollers M, M to a portion. of the periphery of a driven platen I5 adapted to advance the stationery as the characters are printed thereon under control of a printer magnet in the manner more completely disclosed in Morton et al., supra.

The stationery emerges from the teletypewriter in the direction indicated by an arrow located directly above the platen.

Among other features the broadcasting station A embraces a printer magnet, sending contacts 2| and a non-locking key 24 which may be used for interrupting the communication line. Battery 22, required for the operation of the system, is shown located at the broadcasting station, and may, of course, be located at any desired receiving station. The manner of transmitting and printing messages is fully disclosed in Morton et al., supra.

The supply roll it contains form stationery provided with alternate blank and previously printed advertising areas. Obviously, the invention is not limited to a particular form of stationery, and, in general, is contemplated to embrace all types of stationery including coupon, letterhead, single sheet, multicopy, and manifold stationery. The supply is not necessarily restricted to a roll, and, may also include a stack of folded sheets. News items transmitted by the broadcasting station are subsequently printed on the blank areas. The printed and advertising matter may be read directly as the stationery is ejected from the teletypewriter, or, as it is sometimes preferred, the stationery may be adapted for use in connection with a display device of a suitable type, such, for example, as in the manner disclosed in Patent 2,017,633 granted Oct. 15, 1935 to E. T. Mottram and Patent 2,046,695 granted July 7, 1936 also to E. T. Mottram.

In either event it is highly desirable to obtain a uniform advancing of the stationery in the several teletypewriters so as to obviate the possibility of overlapping the news items on the previously printed advertisements. Since paper may vary in elasticity and, in addition, manifest unequal coefficients of expansion resulting from difference in humidity conditions at the several stations, it is diflicult to simultaneously advance all stationery in identical increments. In prior operation, it had been discovered that when the several supplies were partially consumed, the stationery occupied Varying positions on the respective platens, and, in some instances, toward the ends of the supplies the news items were caused to slightly overlap the advertising areas. In addition to the unequal feeding of the stationery due to the varying physical properties of paper, it is also likely that electrical disturbances occurring in the telegraph circuit would cause the stationery to be advanced out of synchronism.

In the preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates an arrangement for adjusting stationery at the several stations in a manner that the blank areas are periodically brought to like positions on the platens of their respective teletypewriters, and thereby made available for recording the news items without interfering with the previously printed matter contained in the advertising areas. To effect this purpose each stationery supply is provided with a plurality of predeterminedly spaced perforations 46 aligned longitudinally along the left-hand edge of the stationery as seen when facing the keyboard.

Inasmuch as the electrical circuit forming the invention is identical for each teletypewriter station of the system, the same parts are designated with the same reference numeral whenever the parts occur in the broadcasting and receiving stations as delineated in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to interpose an adjustment of the stationery during a transmission interval, the broadcasting operator initially transmits a preassigned combination of code impulses, preferably an upper case H character, to cause each teletypewriter to close momentarily a contact 23 which is accomplished in the manner similar to that disclosed in connection with the motor control contact of Morton et a1., supra. The closing of contact 23 provides for relay 2 an energization circuit which may be traced from ground 28, through lead 29, closed contact 23, lead 30, coil a, and then to grounded battery 3|.

Since the broadcasting and receiving stations are already established in a communicative relationship, a slow release relay 35, which is connected in the communication line in series with the printer magnet, is energized to hold its contact 36 in a closed condition. In view of its previously described energization circuit, relay 21 operates and locks up under control of relay 35. The locking circuit for relay 2i may be traced from battery 3i, through coil I), lead Sl, armature 38, contact point 39, lead 49, contact 36 and armature of the slow release relay 35, and then to ground. It is to be understood that the slow release relay 35 remains operated and undisturbed during the deenergized periods of the printer magnet occasioned by the no-current impulses occurring in the normal transmission of code combinations, and, consequently, the slow release relay 35 continues to hold its contact 36 in the closed condition.

A contact ts is mounted preferably on the left side of the guide it, as seen when facing the keyboard, to align with the perforations 45 (Fig. 2) provided in the stationery. The contact mounting assembly comprises an insulating member ll mounted normally with respect to an upper surface of the guide l3 and provided with a 1ongitudinal bore through which projects a pin 48. Member 47 is riveted at 49 to firmly secure the insulating member ll to the guide I3. Intermediate a head on the pin G8 and an end surface of the insulating member 4? is retained one end of a flexible electrical contact member 58 which is connected by a lead 55 to a conductor of the telegraph line associated with one terminal of the printer magnet.

The free end of the contact member 50 is adapted to rotatably support a roller 55 of suitable electrical conductive material. Disposed along a line corresponding to the normal axis of the roller 55 and in opposed relation with the between a head 59 and a riveted end 60 of the contact member 56 as shown in Fig. 2.

Secured between the under insulating plate 58 and the riveted end 66 of the contact member 56 is an electrical terminal 65 connected by a lead 66 to an armature 6? of the relay 2?. In View of the previous operation of relay H, a circuit for shunting the printer magnet may be traced through lead 5 l, contact 35, lead (it, armature Bl and contact point 68 of relay 2'11 which is now operated, and lead 89. Lead 69 is connected to a conductor of the telegraph line associated with the other terminal of the printer magnet. Ordinarily, this shunt circuit is held open at contact 55 by the stationery advancing between the contact roller 55 and the contact member 5%.

In furtherance of the stationery adjusting operation, the broadcasting station now transmits a series of line feed signals to cause the station ery to be advanced between the contact roller 55 and contact member 56 until a perforation 45 arrives at a point directly therebetween as seen in Fig. 2. The perforation allows the flexible contact roller 55 to project therethrough to encage the head 59 of the contact member 56 to close the circuit for shunting the printer magnet. Closure of this shunt circuit places the teletypewriter in a non-printing condition so long as the series of line feed signals continues to be transmitted by the broadcasting station. The short-circuiting of the printer magnet serves to render the latter non-responsive and ineffective to further line signals, and, hence, the stationery associated with that particular teletypewriter remains on its platen in the position at which it was stopped.

When the broadcasting operator feels assured that at all teletypewriters comprising the system the stationery has been brought to the position at which a perforation is aligned with contacts 45, he transmits a long break, or open circuit, signal, preferably by opening the non-locking key 24, thereby effecting a deenergization of slow release relay 35 which releases its armature to open contact 35. The previously described holding circuit for relay 27 is now open at contact 36, and, therefore, this relay is deenergized to disengage its armature 6! from contact point 58 to interrupt the circuit shunting the printer magnet. The interruption of the shunt circuit reconnects the printer magnet in the telegraph line. At this point the stationery in the various printers throughout the system occupies substantially identical positions on their associated platens, and the telegraph line is restored to normal and now awaiting the commencement of the transmission of news items.

It is to be understood that the preassigned combination of code impulses for effecting the adjustment of stationery is to be transmitted only for this purpose so that the stationery feeding occasioned by the normal transmission of code combinations will not be interrupted. In the latter connection, therefore, the arrival of a perforation between the contact roller, 55 and the contact member 55 will cause no change in the transmission system since the relay 27 is unoperated and, consequently, the circuit shunting the printer magnet remains open.

In addition, it is to be understood that while the description illustrates the employment of the invention relative to receiving stations adapted only for a receiving operation, the invention is not necessarily limited thereto and may be readily utilized with receiving stations adapted for both sending and receiving operations. An illustration of the use of the invention with a sending and receiving teletypewriter is shown in Fig. l in connection with the broadcasting station.

Also, it is to be understood that while the printing telegraph system herein described and illustrated employs a wire circuit between stations, the invention is not necessarily restricted thereto, and is contemplated for use with radio printing telegraph systems of any suitable type, such,

for example, as that disclosed in Ohl Patent No. 1,737,672, issued December 3, 1929.

Thus, it is seen that the broadcasting operator may simultaneously adjust the positions of the stationery on the platens of the several teletypewriters associated in the system whenever his discretion dictates the necessity for this procedure. In the latter connection, the position of the stationery on the platen of the broadcasting teletypewriter may serve as an indication of the approximate conditions prevailing in the remainder of the system.

Since the arrangement disclosed is capable of modifications without departing from the essentials of the invention, the invention is, accordingly, to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a teletypewriter system, a plurality of teletypewriters, a telegraph line connecting the teletypewriters, stationery having a plurality of perforations provided for each teletypewriter, means associated with each teletypewriter for advancing the stationery, means associated with each teletypewriter and operated in response to a preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by one of the teletypewriters for controlling the advancing means, and means at each teletypewriter cooperatively associated with the perforations in response to a different preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the teletypewriter initiating the first code impulses for rendering the controlling means non-responsive.

2. In a teletypewriter system, a broadcasting teletypewriter, a plurality of receiving teletypewriters, a communication line connecting the teletypewriters, stationery having a plurality of perforations provided for each teletypewriter,

means at each teletypewriter operated in response 0 to a preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter for advancing the stationery, and means at each teletypewriter cooperating with the perforations in response to a different preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter for rendering ineffective a repetition of the first-mentioned combination of code impulses.

3. In a teletypewriter system, a broadcasting teletypewriter, a plurality of receiving teletypewriters, 2. communication line connecting the teletypewriters, stationery having a plurality of perforations provided for each teletypewriter, means associated with each teletypewriter for advancing the stationery, a magnet at each teletypewriter operated by certain actuations of the broadcasting teletypewriter for controlling the advancing means, and means at each teletypewriter cooperatively associated with the perforations in response to other actuations of the broadcasting teletypewriter for rendering the magnet non-responsive.

4:. In a teletypewriter system, a broadcasting teletypewriter, a plurality of receiving teletypea writers, a communication line connecting the teletypewriters, stationery having a plurality of perforations provided for each teletypewriter, means at each teletypewriter operated in response to a preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter for advancing the stationery, and means at each teletypewriter cooperating with the perforations in response to a different preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter to render a repetition of the first-mentioned combination of code impulses ineffective, including contact members retained normally in a disengaged relation by the stationery advancing therebetween and adapted to engage each other through the perforations as the stationery is advanced.

5. In a teletypewriter system, a broadcasting teletypewriter, a plurality of receiving teletypewriters, a communication line connecting the teletypewriters, stationery having a plurality of perforations provided for each teletypewriter, means associated with each teletypewriter for advancing the stationery, a magnet at each teletypewriter responsive to certain actuations of the broadcasting teletypewriter for controlling the advancing means, and means at each teletypewriter cooperatively associated with the perforations in response to other actuations of the broadcasting teletypewriter for rendering the magnet ineffective, including a contact retained in an open position by the stationery advancing therebetween and adapted to be closed through the perforations as the stationery advances.

6. In a teletypewriter system, a broadcasting teletypewriter, a plurality of receiving teletypewriters, a communication line connecting the teletypewriters, stationery having a plurality of perforations provided for each teletypewriter, means at each teletypewriter for advancing the stationery, a magnet at each teletypewriter operated in response to a preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter for controlling the advancing means, and means at each teletypewriter cooperating with the perforations in response to a different preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter to render a repetition of the first-mentioned combination of code impulses ineffective, including a normally open contact, means actuated in response to the different preassigned combination of code impulses transmitted by the broadcasting teletypewriter to close the contact, electromagnetic means operated by the closing of the contact, and contact members retained normally in the open condition by the stationery advancing therebetween and adapted to engage each other through perforations as the stationery is advanced, the electromagnetic means and contact members cooperating to close a circuit for short-circuiting the magnet.

7. In a teletypewriter system, a broadcasting teletypewriter, a plurality of receiving teletypewriters, a communication line connecting the teletypewriters, stationery having a plurality of perforations provided for each teletypewriter, means associated with each teletypewriter for advancing the stationery, a magnet associated with each teletypewriter and responsive to certain actuations of the broadcasting teletypewriter for controlling the advancing means, and means at each teletypewriter operatively associated with the perforations in response to other actuations of the broadcasting teletypewriter for rendering the magnet non-responsive to a repetition of the first-mentioned actuations, including a normally open contact, means responsive to the other actuations to close the contact, electromagnetic means operated by the closing of the contact, and contact members retained normally in an open condition by the stationery advancing therebetween and adapted to engage each other through the perforations as the stationery advances, the electromagnetic means and the contact members cooperating to close a circuit shunting the magnet.

8. A teletypewriter having in combination, stationery having a plurality of perforations, means for advancing the stationery, a magnet responsive to certain actuations of the teletypewriter for controlling the advancing means, and means cooperatively associated with the perforations in response to other actuations of the teletypewriter for short circuiting the magnet.

9. A teletypewriter having in combination, stationery having a plurality of perforations, means for advancing the stationery, a magnet responsive to certain actuations of the teletypewriter for controlling the advancing means, and means cooperatively associated with the perforations in response to other actuations of the teletypewriter for short-circuiting the printer magnet, said short-circuiting means including contact members retained normally in a disengaged relation by the stationery advancing therebetween and adapted to engage each other through the perforations as the stationery is advanced.

10. A teletypewriter having in combination, stationery provided with a plurality of perforations, means for advancing the stationery, a magnet responsive to certain actuations of the teletypewriter for controlling the advancing means, and means cooperatively associated with the perforations in response to other actuations of the teletypewriter for rendering the magnet non-responsive, including a normally open contact, means responsive to the other actuations of the teletypewriter to close the contact, electromagnetic means operated by the closing of the contact, and contact members retained normally in a disengaged relation by the stationery advancing thercbetween and adapted to en age each other through the perforations as the stationery is advanced, the electromagnetic means and contact members cooperating to complete a circuit shunting the magnet.

11. A teletypewriter having in combination, stationery having a plurality of perforations,

means for advancing the stationery, a magnet for controlling the advancing means, and short circuiting means for rendering the magnet ineffective, including a normally open contact having a member engaging the stationery and adapted to be closed when a perforation allows the member to project therethrough.

12. A teletypewriter having a platen, a supply of stationery, feeding means for feeding the stationery around the platen, operating means for operating the feeding means, and control means for short-circuiting the operating means.

13. A teletypewriter having a platen, a supply of stationery, said stationery having a series of perforations therein at spaced intervals, feeding means for feeding the stationery around the platen, operating means for operating the feeding means, and control means for short-circuiting the operating means, said control means including a stationery member designed to normally contact with one side of the stationery and a spring pressed member normally pressed against the other side of the stationery, both of said members contacting with the stationery along the line of perforations.

14. A teletypewriter having a platen, a supply of stationery, said stationery having a series of perforations therein at spaced intervals, feeding means for feeding the stationery around the platen, operating means for operating the feeding means, and normally ineffective control means for short-circuiting the operating means, said control means being rendered effective by said perforations.

15. A teletypewriter having a. platen, a supply of stationery, feeding means for feeding the stationery around the platen, operating means for operating the feeding means, and control means for short-circuiting the operating means, said control means including a normally unenergized device and a normally ineffective instrumentality.

16. A teletypewriter having a platen, a supply of stationery, feeding means for feeding the stationery around the platen, operating means for operating the feeding means, control means for short-circuiting the operating means, said control means including a device having a normally open energizing circuit and a normally ineffective instrumentality, first means operatively responsive to the reception by the teletypewriter of a preassigned teletypewriter signal for closing said normally open energizing circuit, and second means operatively responsive to the reception by the teletypewriter of a different preassigned teletypewriter signal for rendering said normally inefiective instrumentality efiective.

RALPH EDWIN PIERCE. 

